Mestra Rafaella blogs it alle

Monday, December 15, 2008

If you're feeling down this season what with "economy being what it is", the world geo-political factions cracking up, cheese at $5/lb, and "retirement fund? I apparently didn't need no stinking retirement fund." allow me to recommend the following book:

I finished reading this over Thanksgiving. I never felt more grateful for modern medicine itellyouwhat. What if 1/2 of everyone we knew died in the space of two months? That's the horror/reality that Professor Hatcher portrays in his book. It's an interesting mix of non-fiction and fiction. He takes primary source materials from the time of the black death in late 1340s england and puts them in context for the modern reader (tho I do agree with one reviewer: a glossary of middle english legal and land terminology would have been nice). Mr. Hatcher then creates a fictionalized narrative (docudrama) from the viewpoint of the villagers in the small town of Walsham (the place/source of the primary source documents) and shows how landed gentry, church, and peasantry dealt with the upheaval of the time. It's not far off to say that the labor shortages caused by the plague lead to the end of feudalism.

Aside from the novel "Domesday Book" by Connie Willis (again, another favorite) I haven't done much plague reading, so this was both frightening and fascinating as it revealed the specific workings of agragian life in the mid-1300s england. Plates (pix from illuminations) and maps enhance the narrative.

Enjoy! and give your healthcare provider a big hug the next time you see them.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Herb soup #2 (from Redon, Medieval Kitchen)"Menestra of greens. Take Swiss chard leaves and alittle borage; cook them in boiling clear water untilthe water comes back to the boil; then drain them andchop fine with a knife. And take a little parsley andraw mint and chop them along with the greens. Thenpound everything in a mortar, and add to a pot withrich broth and boil briefly, If you like, you can adda little pepper."

I too long for the early years of my SCA wherein we didst endeavor to speak forsoothly and bring a certain magickal quality to our gatherings. I know my theatrical approach to our great Society is not everyone's Dream, but it is mine and so I endeavor to coach, cajole, model and-- yea verily-- harangue on occasion to see my Dream come alive in our events. This is why I autocrat, er, event steward,bwahaahaahaha. :-)

The busy-ness of modern life and the entry of most folks these days into the SCA via electronic media (instead of going to fighter practices and arts events and tournaments in slow and upwardly spirally progression) leaves some without the foundation of courtliness, courtesy, and honor that we earlier coveted. Interkingdom anthropology has a lot to do with how one plays as well. In my original Barony of Calafia (San Diego, CA), we did stay in persona and were generally far more formal more often than I've ever seen in all of AnTir. Prithee, this is neither good nor bad, but the different ways of different lands.

There are many articles on speaking forsoothly available (see here for a collection:http://scatoday.net/node/4794) but I have found recently that a series of *small* personal challenges to try and do things in a more historical manner has fostered deeper and more meaningful conversations about the ways in which our ancestors lived. I gather that most folks would find their fun improved by "persona development" but again, I can only encourage.

So consider challenging yourself to do a few of these suggestions this tournament season (as you have time, energy, and funds) and find if they do add to your general enjoyment and appreciation of the Dream:

1. Endeavor to omit modern topics from your discussions (as a consulting herald I find this exceedingly difficult at the consult table because so much of the information we convey is now online, but in other areas such as around the lists field, the A&S tent or the potluck line, give it a try).

2. Set a courtly tone by using titles. I know, I know, AnTir is sooooo laid back, so the way I choose to do this is to endeavor to greet those good gentles with whom I interact at events by their titles proper on the first instance of meeting them that day (morning biffie runs excepted). This sets the tone of acknowledging and respecting each person's hard work for their rank and our place in the Great Chain of Being as our ancestors would have done. And then for the rest of the day be as courtly or not as your place and relationships dictate.

3. Give reverance when greeting. Whom have you bowed to or curtsied to today?

4. Try to always wear a headcovering of some sort (veil, coif, hat, etc). Since headgear isn't a standard everyday thing of most folks these days (at least those who don't wear a uniform) this is a good way to step back in time quickly.

5. Try wearing historical shoes (those of us with mobility issues find this one a real challenge. For me, 26 years and counting and I still can't make or buy footgear that satisfies my historical and orthopedic needs, but I'm still researching...)

8. Try historical bedding. My goal this year for tourney season is to make linen pillowcases. I made a period-style quilt back in 2002 and the difference between a blanket and a sleeping bag was amazing for feeling "you are there".

9. Eat historical food. There's lots of us around to help on this one. :-)[http://www.fridayvalentine.com/]

10. Eat your food with only a knife and spoon.

To quote author Margaret Frazer, "Why bother? For me, the answer is that to live only inside one’s own particular time and shape of space and thought is to live impaired in sight and understanding. To be able to see with other eyes, to think—evenperipherally or for a bare few moments—in another’s mind, to feel with another set of feelings than our familiar everyday ones, is to grow, to stretch our limits of individuality a little larger, to reach our minds a little farther, to open our perception of our world and selves a little wider."

Surely a little stretching will bring us closer to each of our Dreams.

In Service to the Dream,Mestra Rafaella d'Allemtejo, OLDefender of Arts & Sciences to the Shire of Mountain Edge

This past week I did for the first time travel eastand north to the fair Barony of Wealdsmere (modernlyknown as Spokane, WA).

Having never travelled to the far regions of thecrown's land beyond Three Mountains, I was amazed bythe beauteous hills, the glorious rivers, and frozencascades of water that decked the cliffs as wetravelled into unknown territory. Most assuredly,gentles live in these wild places, but being a friendto mine own hearth, I had not previously travelledmore east than the great henge of stone which dothmark the sacrifice of solders of the first world warand its neighbor, the museum of Maryhill.

I was graciously escorted by lord Morphael who hailsfrom the wilds of the Outlands (colorado) and isaccustomed to travel in the snow and ice, whereas,poor me, my ancestoral home lies in the south of Caid(california) wherefrom I did not experience this whitewet substance until late in my twenties. During thegreat ice storm of A.S. XXX in the Rivers Region, Idid proceed to spin about in the curves ofTerwilliger, thankfully damaging mine own cart onlyand none other. To my shame, I have been afeared totravel in foul weather since this incident, butcompany makes travel easier and I am grateful that mycompanion had time to spend with me on this journey tospeak with the elders of the City Library ofWealdsmere wherein I might hope to be employed.

The winds blew mightily against our cart but weperserved east and north into the Barony of Wastekeep(TriCities) where the local wizards must have beenconspiring against us, both going and upon our return.The signs of direction in and around these threecities were most circuitous and bewildering, and beingconfused on how to proceed, we stopped for luncheonrepast. The wenches of that most welcomingestablishment belonging to Lord Denny do make finefried meats and eggs and shredded browned starches ofunknown origin.

Travelling more north we encountered landscapes thatrivaled the deserts of my homeland, flat and brown andgreatly populated by short grasses. Farther north andhigher in elevation these landscapes became white withice and snow, sheltering all views in a pristineblanket that described not its secrets. Few travelledalong our path and the road was frozen but dry, thoughmany-wheeled container caravans did sometimes join uson our quest.

Darkness had fallen as we entered into the heart ofthe city of of the Barony. I was impressed with thelights of the city though a serious venture into thestreets would need to wait until daylight. We foundour lodgings and dinner was delivered and we had agood night's rest (Best Western Trade Winds North,good people).

The next day we ventured out into the grey sunlightand quested far and wide in the city, verily I shouldsay, as far as the streets cleared of ice and snowwould allow. I was much impressed by the fineness ofthe tall buildings and the opulence of thearchitecture (altho in my ancestral homeland, thatmuch red brick would be a danger during times of thequaking of the earth). The downtown area is most finewith many establishments seen in larger cities ofAnTir, in faith, I did not expect such sophisticationand that is testament to mine own ignorance of thefine gentles and cities of the eastern edges of ourkingdom. Having seen Wealdsmere, I one day hope tovisit Lyonsmarche (Pullman/Moscow).

Many stores we see in the Shire and Three Mountainsand Stromgard are also found in Wealdsmere, in sooth,the size of the Barnes, noble proprietor of books, wasquite impressive. A city which boasts both a WorldMarket and First Pier import store is truly blessed.The many huts serving coffee from Arabia were awelcome sight though we availed ourselves of thevendor bearing the sign of the green two-tailedmermaid (that's melusine to you heralds) as I had agift card for that establishment.

Much art adorns the city walls, many of the muralswere created by children under the tutelage ofmasters. Other artists of fame and reknown havecreated scultpures that line the riverfront park (thoI mistook the rusted running men for scared villagersat first). A great river and railed road run throughthe middle of the city. The outdoor ampitheatre withits strange tilted pavilion, a configuration of ropesand machines,puzzled my companion and me as to itsfunction. Apparently a Great World Exposition didoccur in the town in A.S VIII, which left behind thislegacy of art and civic venues including a rathergigantic red wagon. They must be seen to be believed(http://www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com/photo_gallery.asp).Adorned in a thin layer of snow, all these things didseem as wonders.

At the appointed hour we did arrive at the CityLibrary. A skybridge connects the library to theindoor marketplace that stands adjacent so mycompanion ventured off to find treasures from afar.The City Library which lies downtown is most wonderousand the staff is pleasant and knowledgeable, offeringmany services, such as researching one's famillyhistory. However, I was disappointed by the lack ofseating accommodations accorded to gentles of my(ehem) stature. :-7 I perched where I might to do more research.

My interview with the elders went well enow though Ifelt I did not express myself with as much finesse asI have on other occasions. After two long hours ofdiscussion, in despair I cancelled my dinner planswith Lady Juliana and Lady Richenda, fine heralds ofthe kingdom whom I know from their days in TerraPomeria, rejoined lord Morphael and headed back to ourlodgings. By faith, my fears were unfounded, as theelders of the Library did contact my former employerthe next day to request a recommendation.

Alas the time came to leave in the early dark of themorn of the next day, as I had to rush home to speakwith the elders of the Great State Library located inTerra Pomeria. [and upon returning home I found moreinvitations to speak with libraries, two in Caid, andone in the West, tho it is greatly my wish to remainin AnTir and even more preferably Dragon's Mist, butwe go where we must... and most assuredly all thisdiscussion with various libraries of great reknownmust yield me employment soon... soon I say! :-) ]

On friday morn, the local heralds of weather could notdecide whether the temperature was 7 degrees or 14degrees on the scales of farenheit. God's teeth werechattering, I tell you what (prithee). We travelledsouth in the light pellets of snow crossing throughwhite terrain, into the desert terrain, and then westalong the windy Gorge yet again. The Columbia Gorgewas most beauteous tho my companion informs me thatwaves of such height and foamy white brilliance alongthe said waterway are mesmerizing yet dangerous. Forme, it was a glad return home with discussions of withigh and low and sunshine which was gloriously warm incomparison to the earlier morning.

I bid thee all farwell, and encourage all to travel tothe far reaches of the kingdoms. Wonders both greatand small are oft to be found.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Ended up going late to event due to circumstances beyond my control, but I got Beatriz de Chambery to this gig and in front of Queen Miranda to receive her Award of Arms! (originally announced at Sport of Kings back in August) It's been rough for us to keep it secret this long, woof!